Tips for Quartzsite Boondocking

Every January thousands of RVers converge in Quartzsite, Arizona to socialize, boondock & shop. This will be our third year to take part in the festivities and we’ll definitely arrive better prepared than years past!

We’ve amassed a great arsenal of boondocking gear over the years – from our propane fire pit to the Honda 2000 generator – these tools make dry camping a wonderful experience. BUT, today we’ll dive beyond the basics and discuss many unique tips for the annual Quartzsite convergence.

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We’ll break these tips down into easy-to-reference sections and include linked info when possible. If you have any additional tips, please leave those in the comment section.

GROCERIES

Small desert towns aren’t known for their fresh produce, and Quartzsite is no different. We’ll stock up on groceries before we arrive (and recommend you do as well), but if you need to get groceries in Quartzsite, Roadrunner Market is your best bet.

There are also multiple dollar stores in town for dry goods. In front of most of these businesses you’ll find Glacier Water Purification Systems. These come in handy for gallon jug refills – giving you fresh water and reducing your trash.

We also recommend driving to Blythe, California for major grocery shopping. Although its about 20 miles away, the selection makes it worth the drive!

WATER FILL & DUMP STATION

Since we don’t have to far to drive (Yuma to Quartzsite), we’ll dump our tanks and fill up with fresh water before heading into Q. If you want to wait until you get to town to dump & fill – there are a few options.

First, you can dump & fill at the RV Pit Stop. We’ve used their service before and found it easy and relatively inexpensive. Rose RV Park in Quartzsite also allows non-guests to dump & fill for a small fee.

TRASH DISPOSAL

Since most folks (including us) dry camp when visiting Quartzsite, there are no trash receptacles readily available. The best place to dump trash is at the La Paz Transfer Station.

We recommend keeping trash to a minimum and packing it in small grocery bags. This allows for even easier disposal at gas station trash cans.

One thing on our list of Boondocking Essentials is paper plates – they help conserve water, stack easily in the trash bag and even work as a campfire starter 🙂

RECEIVING MAIL

Traveling full time in an RV always makes receiving mail slightly challenging and Quartzsite doesn’t make it any easier. If you go the General Delivery route – the post office is slamming busy and only distributes GD mail a few hours a day. You may find yourself waiting in line for hours and/or multiple days!

There is an easier, albeit more expensive option. Quiet Time allows direct deliveries from the USPS, UPS and FedEx. Each package will coast about 4 bucks to receive, but it sure beats wasting hours of your day! If you want to try this service out – give them call before hand to find out all the details.

SHOWERS

If you’re like us and have to conserve water while boondocking, these shower options might be intriguing to you! There are two options for hot showers in Quartzsite. First, the local laundromat has a facility that includes showers. These cost around $6 and offer the luxury of washing your clothes and yourself at the same time.

Our favorite way though is a truck stop shower! Quartzsite has a few of these available. If you’re hesitant about this option, check out our video below to see what its all about!

OVERVIEW

Hopefully this info has been helpful! We’d love to hear additional tips from y’all. If you have some great info, please share it in the comments section.

More Epic Sites & Resources

Here are a few more “Top Free Camping Lists” and boondocking resources if you’re interested in learning more!

If you’re interested in viewing all the free campsites we visit, click here!

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7 thoughts on “Tips for Quartzsite Boondocking”

Like the tips! But the first video says it is unavailable. The truck stop shower video works. Where I am, there is a 350 gallon water buffalo next to me courtesy of the Forest Service. One of the hikers stopped by and thought that I towed it behind my RV for my Boondocking experience. I had to laugh. But then thought that isn’t such a bad idea…

Hi Kyle and Olivia, I just recently began to follow you on YouTube. First and want to say you 2 are so cute together. Your videos are quite entertaining and interesting. I love the humbleness you exude and your willingness to admit that your don’t know everything but are so willing to learn. I also admire your can-do spirit!! My husband and I will be full time RVers beginning in June. We are so much looking forward to our life on the road and the adventures we will experience. Keep the update videos coming. Praying for you Olivia…having tonsillitis/sore throat is not fun 😞. God bless, Cathy Ott in New Mexico

Wow just found you guys. You’re awesome. Really good info and easy to get around the website. Found you on youtube first and then came here to the website. As someone who has never been I would have loved to have seen some photos you took last year of what Quartzsite looks like in full swing. I’m going to put it in the diary for the next US road trip.